freqflyer, please keep in mind that often families are estranged because of the behaviours of the parents. It can be far safer to stay away than continue to endure abuse. In my case, I do love my parents, but refuse to be exposed to more abuse.
It is not a lack of courtesy or caring on my part, it is a matter of staying physically and mentally safe.
If it is published in a local paper, the obit will appear on legacy dot com. It can be found via Google search on the deceased's name. That is all I would do. It would be found. Or see if you can find these people via Google, Facebook, other social networks.
Kalene, the way I look at it, if there has been zero contact with the estranged relatives for 25 years, why even give them the courtesy when no courtesy was given during that time to the person who has or will be passing.
Chances are the Will had been updated during that quarter of century. If not, let the Probate Judge make suggestions on what next to do. These Judges have been down that road many time before.
I see a LOT of obituaries on FaceBook, and while that's not how I'd like to be informed of someone's death, it has proved to be pretty effective in getting the news out. Even if you aren't on FB, somebody you know is...making this a very small world, indeed.
Kalene, could you explain what it is you need to do in a little more detail?
Is this your mother who has passed away? - If so, I'm very sorry for your loss, and do bear in mind that although there may be many things that need to be done they don't have to be done now this minute - give yourself breathing space.
And the estranged "next of kin" are who, then?
Do these people have to be notified because they are beneficiaries of an estate? Or out of common standards of courtesy and family feeling?
The reason I ask is that, if you are an executor tracking down beneficiaries, then there are various recognised channels for doing this that a decent probate lawyer would be able to advise you on.
If it's just that you feel they ought to know, and you haven't the first idea where to start looking for them, then you can just post an obituary in the local paper. I suppose you could also try Facebook and Twitter messages advising "anyone related to Mary Jane Bloggs visit Anytown Gazette announcements." Based on the Six Degrees of Separation rule, the news will eventually filter through to anyone who isn't determined not to know.
Post it in the local paper where the deceased was living. If the deceased had lived in a different community for many years, post it there too, so former friends will know. That is enough.
If there is an estate and you are executor, then there is a great obligation to track down someone who may inherit in the will.
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It is not a lack of courtesy or caring on my part, it is a matter of staying physically and mentally safe.
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Chances are the Will had been updated during that quarter of century. If not, let the Probate Judge make suggestions on what next to do. These Judges have been down that road many time before.
Is this your mother who has passed away? - If so, I'm very sorry for your loss, and do bear in mind that although there may be many things that need to be done they don't have to be done now this minute - give yourself breathing space.
And the estranged "next of kin" are who, then?
Do these people have to be notified because they are beneficiaries of an estate? Or out of common standards of courtesy and family feeling?
The reason I ask is that, if you are an executor tracking down beneficiaries, then there are various recognised channels for doing this that a decent probate lawyer would be able to advise you on.
If it's just that you feel they ought to know, and you haven't the first idea where to start looking for them, then you can just post an obituary in the local paper. I suppose you could also try Facebook and Twitter messages advising "anyone related to Mary Jane Bloggs visit Anytown Gazette announcements." Based on the Six Degrees of Separation rule, the news will eventually filter through to anyone who isn't determined not to know.
If there is an estate and you are executor, then there is a great obligation to track down someone who may inherit in the will.